SLS 12RS-882 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 2
Regular Session, 2012
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 12
BY SENATOR MURRAY
LEGIS POWERS/FUNCTIONS. Recognizes the many contributions made to the state by
its Irish-American population and designates March as Irish-American Heritage Month.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To commend the many contributions made by Irish-Americans toward the betterment of the2
state and nation and to designate each March as Irish-American Heritage Month.3
WHEREAS, it is most appropriate that the Legislature of Louisiana recognizes the4
historic, cultural, social, and artistic contributions made to the enrichment of life in5
Louisiana by those citizens of Irish-American lineage; and6
WHEREAS, the sons and daughters of Erin (Ireland) came to make a new life in7
America and settled throughout Louisiana ever since its earliest beginnings as a colony; and8
WHEREAS, in the 1840s many immigrated from their homeland to port cities like9
New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Baton Rouge to flee the horror and starvation of the10
Great Hunger, An Gorta Mor; and11
WHEREAS, as they left behind the familiar green hills of Ireland, the close-knit Irish12
settled with their families into enclaves that became well-known neighborhoods such as the13
Irish Channel and the Third Ward in New Orleans; and14
WHEREAS, immediately Irish immigrants provided the essential labor force needed15
for the enormous expansion of the Industrial Age in America, in particular the construction16
of the infrastructure of metropolitan New Orleans, that included dangerous undertakings like17
the New Basin Canal, where thousands of laborers perished from such perils as structural18 SCR NO. 12
SLS 12RS-882 ORIGINAL
Page 2 of 2
collapse and mosquito-borne disease; and1
WHEREAS, the Irish became factory workers, railroad builders, blacksmiths,2
carpenters, wood carvers, shipbuilders, brick masons, boat-builders, stevedores, domestics,3
bartenders, musicians, singers, and waiters, whose talent, hard work, and sheer determination4
overcame countless obstacles to achieve success and find happiness in their new5
surroundings; and6
WHEREAS, they built beautiful and historic parish churches in Louisiana, each7
resplendent with stained glass windows, beautifully carved wooden altars, and marble8
statuary, and choir lofts filled with Irish tenor voices that sang out in praise of God's tender9
mercies; and10
WHEREAS, the Irish are a people of deep abiding faith, many of whom have taken11
a vow of religious service and have ministered to their fellow man in the ecclesiastical12
vocations of clergy and laity; and13
WHEREAS, March 17
th
is the Roman Catholic saint's day for St. Patrick, the humble14
and courageous patron saint of Ireland, who converted the Irish to Christianity; and15
WHEREAS, since 1809, various cities throughout Louisiana have commemorated16
their Irish heritage with parades and other festive events during the month of March; and17
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana is endowed with a colorful history enriched by18
Irish-Americans whose contributions are an integral part of its unique culture and diversity.19
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby20
recognize the numerous contributions made to the state's history and betterment by21
generations of Irish-Americans and does hereby designate March of each year as Irish-22
American Heritage Month.23
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to24
Joseph Casler, president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Louisiana, Inc.25
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Suzi Montague.
DIGEST
Murray SCR No.
Designates each March as Irish-American Heritage Month.